EDITOR’S NOTE
Welcome to the Tomorrow’s Health & Safety Yearbook 2026/27.
The health and safety profession has always evolved in response to changing risks, emerging technologies and societal expectations. Yet few periods have seen as much transformation as the past 12 months. Across the UK, organisations have faced a growing range of challenges that extend far beyond traditional workplace safety, reinforcing the increasingly strategic role of health and safety professionals in protecting people, businesses and communities.
One of the most significant developments has been the continued expansion of safety responsibilities into new areas. The introduction of Martyn’s Law has added a new dimension to organisational safety planning, requiring many businesses and public venues to strengthen their preparedness for major incidents and emergency situations. At the same time, the ongoing evolution of the Building Safety Regulator and the implementation of post-Grenfell reforms continue to reshape accountability and compliance across the built environment.
Occupational health has also moved further up the agenda. Concerns surrounding respiratory disease, silica dust exposure, asbestos management and long- term workplace illnesses have reinforced the need for organisations to look beyond accident prevention alone. While significant progress has been made in reducing many traditional workplace hazards over recent decades, occupational disease remains responsible for a substantial proportion of work-related harm, creating new challenges for employers, regulators and health and safety practitioners alike.
Alongside physical health risks, mental health and wellbeing have become more recognised as fundamental health and safety issues. Employers are facing growing expectations to manage with the same rigour applied to physical risks. This shift reflects a broader understanding that creating healthy, productive workplaces requires a holistic approach to worker wellbeing.
However, workplace injuries and fatalities remain a concern in many sectors. Construction in particular continues to face significant challenges. Figures show a 12% increase in accidental worker deaths since 2021/22, while workplace injuries remain stubbornly high. These statistics serve as a reminder that compliance alone is not enough.
In his article, Building a Safety Culture, Malcolm Mearns, SHEQ Director at Geobear, argues that the construction industry is often overlooking one of the most powerful drivers of safety performance: culture itself. Drawing on established maturity models such as the Bradley Curve, he demonstrates how organisations can move beyond
Ryan Lloyd, Editor
reactive compliance towards genuinely interdependent cultures where employees actively take responsibility for their own safety and that of their colleagues.
The message resonates far beyond construction. Across every industry, there is growing recognition that the strongest safety performance is achieved not simply through policies and procedures, but through engagement, communication and leadership. Whether through improved hazard reporting, greater workforce involvement in risk management, or initiatives that bring leadership closer to frontline operations, organisations are increasingly focusing on the human factors that influence safety outcomes every day.
Looking ahead, organisations will need to respond to a range of emerging challenges. The integration of AI and automation, the ongoing skills and competency agenda, demographic changes within the workforce, climate- related risks, and the growing importance of mental wellbeing will all require careful consideration. Successful organisations will be those that move beyond a purely compliance-based approach and foster cultures where health, safety, and wellbeing are embedded into every aspect of decision-making.
As always, Tomorrow’s Health & Safety will continue to keep you informed of the latest developments through our regular issues, but we hope this Yearbook will serve as a valuable resource and reference guide throughout the year ahead.
Here’s to a safe, healthy, and productive 2026/27 for us all.
Sarah Robinson, Editor
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4 TOMORROW’S HEALTH & SAFETY YEARBOOK 2026/27
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